By Jeanine Lee Kitchel

Livtopia, the U.S.-based international real estate company specializing in retirement and vacation homes for Americans and Canadians, has had such an increase in registration that they are expanding their free “on the ground” house-shopping weekends to 13 cities in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Dominican Republic.

With the boomer boom causing greater interest in retirement options south of the border, Livtopia’s 2008 schedule includes seven locations in Mexico: Puerto Vallarta, Campeche, Mazatlan, Mayan Riviera (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Merida), Baja California (La Paz, Los Cabos), Puerto Penasco, and San Miguel de Allende.

The surge in retirees has caused a demand for these weekend getaways to southern locales.  I haven’t read the fine print on the website, seems there’s always a snag, but check it out at: www.livtopia.com.

In addition to time at the beach or touring local attractions, weekend attendees learn specifics on legal and financial requirements when buying a home/condo in Mexico, local regulations, information on medical care and insurance, and more.

Happy house-hunting.